EPA announced that a food processing facility has agreed to pay a $19,049 penalty for failing to properly report an ammonia release at its facility. According to EPA, the facility released at least 450 pounds of anhydrous ammonia to the air on September 12, 2012. Employees were evacuated and the local Fire Department responded to a 911 call, determined that no action was needed and allowed employees to return to the facility.
The facility did report the release to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. However, the company did not immediately report this release, as required under EPCRA, to two other state and local emergency response agencies:
- the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and
- the Lehigh County Emergency Services office.
The settlement penalty reflects the company’s good faith and cooperation with EPA in resolving this matter. In the settlement, the company did not admit liability for the alleged violations but has stated that it is now in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. CLICK HERE for the EPA notice.